Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has not been disheartened by his team’s winless run in the CAF Confederation Cup. Photo: BackpagePix
The CAF Confederation Cup baptism of fire continues for Stellenbosch FC, who have suffered defeats to Mali’s Stade Malien and Morocco’s RSB Berkane.
On Sunday, the Confederation Cup debutants will be 3 000km away in Angola for a Group B clash against Desportivo Lunda Sul (3pm kick-off) at the 48 000-seater 11 de Novembro Stadium in Luanda.
Like Stellies, Lunda Sul are also seeking their first win of the season after a draw and a loss in their opening Confederation Cup games.
Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker has not been disheartened by their winless run in the continental competition.
He has been content to see his charges soak up the experience of playing against superior opponents in Africa.
He points to the experiences of fellow Premiership rivals Mamelodi Sundowns, who needed a few seasons before they reached a final in Africa.
“It did not take Mamelodi Sundowns just the first season they ever got there to just go on and make finals over a period of time,” said Barker, who as a coach, is also experiencing his debut season in a continental competition.
“They gained knowledge, they gained experience and then, obviously, were able to compete.
“We will look at this as a great experience for us, as a challenging experience. You know, it’s obviously also not ideal that we’re not playing in front of our fans and, missing the numbers at the game to spur us on.”
After two matches, Stellenbosch have been under the whip and just scored one goal, while conceding five. Lunda Sul have one goal and conceded three.
Barker has urged his players to treat Sunday’s match like a cup final.
“We are not out of this competition. Our next game against the Angolan side (Lunda Sul), it’s a cup final for us,” said Barker.
“I believe that we can still qualify for the knockout stages”.
Meanwhile, Mother City neighbours Cape Town City are preparing for their Premiership match against Chippa United at the Buffalo City Stadium in East London tomorrow (5.45pm).
City are in dire straits after they extended their away game woes to seven winless matches, leaving them in 13th place, just two points clear of the relegation playoff zone.
Chippa United, on the other hand, defeated newly-crowned Carling Knockout Cup champions Magesi FC 2-0 at the same venue last week. They will go up against a City team under pressure to avoid a hat-trick of defeats.
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